A source at the state-owned outfit told Reuters news agency that the company is aiming to sign the new agreement, possibly bringing Anglo-Dutch supermajor Shell into the project, by the end of this year.
A preliminary schedule calls for preparation of a new development concept, envisaging solely liquefied natural gas exports, a final investment decision in 2014 and the start of commercial shipments in 2019, against the previous plan of 2016.
